UT football: Applewhite addresses offseason controversy

Major Applewhite hopes to use his situation as an example for his players. (Harry Cabluck/Associated Press)

AUSTIN — Texas offensive coordinator Major Applewhite, who the school recently revealed was reprimanded four years ago for an inappropriate incident with a female student trainer, said Thursday he’s addressed the issue with his players and has used it “as an example to coach these young guys.”

Last month, when a letter of reprimand from athletic director DeLoss Dodds was released in response to an open records request, Applewhite issued a statement apologizing for the incident he called “a regretful decision.” Thursday’s interview with several reporters after a UT spring practice marked the first time he’d spoken publicly since then.

Applewhite, who according to UT admitted to his behavior within a month of it taking place on the Longhorns’ trip to the 2009 Fiesta Bowl in Arizona, said he’s “not afraid to use that as an example to coach these young guys and teach these young guys.”

“I told the guys sometimes something really bad can happen to you, and it can be the best thing in the world,” said Applewhite, who is married with a child born in January 2009. “It can make you appreciate things, not take them for granted.

“We’re all going to make a mistake in life. Hopefully it’s not as big as mine. It’s important you come forth, be forthright, handle it with your family and handle it like a man.”

Applewhite did not discuss the specifics of the incident, which came to light as UT is facing a possible discrimination lawsuit from former women’s track and field coach Bev Kearney. Kearney was forced to resign in January after being investigated for carrying on a relationship with a student athlete a decade earlier.

Kearney’s lawyer, Derek Howard, has said there are numerous other examples of similar relationships at UT, but the coaches, professors and administrators did not receive the same treatment as Kearney, who is an African-American woman.

Longhorns head coach Mack Brown said last month he never considered dismissing Applewhite, who had his salary frozen for one year in 2009. In explaining its discipline against Kearney, UT pointed to a university rule discouraging staffers from maintaining consensual relationships with students under their supervision, and requiring them to report them if they occur.

After Applewhite’s incident came to light, UT’s board of regents called for the university to reassess the way it handles consensual relationships between staffers and students.

Thursday, Applewhite said he didn’t want to ignore the subject with his team.

“Don’t act like it didn’t happen,” Applewhite said. “Let’s all address it and learn from it.”